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UPDATE: ETFO Votes for Strike Action

Posted By: Katie Franzios · 12/5/2012 4:55:00 PM

The province's elementary teachers are upping the pressure on Queen's Park, with the threat of not only one-day strikes, but also a full-on walk out.

Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario (ETFO) reveals 92 per cent of union members who voted, are in favour of what they're calling one-day political protest.

Only 46,000 of 76,000 had their say in a three-day online vote.

ETFO is keeping details of one-day strikes to themselves for now, only saying they will start in school boards across the province next week. If the province uses Bill 115 - the legislated teacher contract framework - to end the strike action, the teachers can now walk out in this protest.

In a statement, union president Sam Hammond says the vote proves that it's the teachers who determine their actions, taking a shot at the education minister's comments about union leaders pulling the strings.

He says this vote shows union members are prepared to stand up for democracy.

Earlier in the day, Education Minister Laurel Broten repeated they will respond to specific strike action, underlining there have been no 72-hour strike notices given out yet.

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  1. Concerned posted on 12/05/2012 04:32 PM
    Public School Board in Timmins has issued their 72 hour notice, according to this article:

    http://www.timminspress.com/2012/12/05/one-day-teachers-strike-monday
    1. MichaelB_2952 posted on 12/05/2012 04:47 PM
      @Concerned To be clear, the teacher-members will not be fined if they stay home on strike day. They just won't get their strike pay. If they choose to cross the picket line, they will likely by fined and be noted as being "scabs." The enforcement of a fine could be determined by a court-of-law. Chances are that a court will not enforce a fine. However, someone who crosses a picket line will most likely lose support and services from the union except those required by law. That person will also not be allowed to vote or run for a union position.
  2. Grant posted on 12/05/2012 04:47 PM
    Why does OUR government not take control and lock the schools until this is settled .

    1 day without pay won't hurt the teachers but 1 or 2 months might.
    1. Concerned posted on 12/05/2012 07:08 PM
      @Grant Grant, you have missed the point of why teachers are planning to walk out. I have to hope that many don't hold the same view as you do. Locking out teachers will hurt them financially... Yay, the province saves a bit of cash to cover the power plant fiascos (well, not really) but do you not think that the teachers are having sleepless nights worrying about how all of this will affect their "kids"? Putting the screw to the teachers at the expense of the students. One day is like a snow day... But parents cannot ignore it. Teachers are just asking for that day to have you listen objectively to their message. See Fed up's post below to see what we have to say.
    2. Getthefacts posted on 12/05/2012 07:45 PM
      @Grant Yes, one or two months loss of pay may hurt teachers, but it would also hurt the ENTIRE province. Imagine every family having to figure out where to send their kids each day.
    show more replies
  3. Fed up posted on 12/05/2012 06:02 PM
    Does anyone else see the threat of the union to fine and publicly humiliate those who don't take strike action a bit off. They are supposedly striking because of the threat of the government to impose a contract on them, is what the union is doing much better? Also, one report I read indicated 46000 of 76000 voted, from that 46000 92% voted to strike. Unless this report was off does that not mean really only 55.6% are in favour not 92%?
    School should be an essential service with No right to strike. Our children's futures rely on it. Stop teaching our kids that if they don't agree with something that they can just walk away or make threats.
    1. JDH posted on 12/05/2012 06:31 PM
      @Fed up This was taken from the 2011 Provincial Election...
      http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ontariovotes2011/story/2011/10/07/ontario-election-voter-turnout.html

      “Initial results show that the Ontario Liberals have won 53 of 107 seats with the support of only 18.4 per cent of eligible voters,” said Tyler Sommers, co-ordinator for Democracy Watch.

      Voter turnout in Thursday’s Ontario election was so low it set a new record with only 49.2 per cent of eligible voters going to the polls, which Democracy Watch calls a crisis requiring changes to the system."

      Hmmmm....did the fact that the Liberal government (based on this article) only receive 18% of eligible votes void the whole process?

      NO, so the argument that only 55 % voted in favour, is really null and void. Democratic process....all etfo unions were between 95 and 100% in favour of strike action months ago.

      ETFO agreed to a wage freeze from the beginning. Have you read Bill 115? Did you know that the government puts this bill above the Constitution? Did you know that it even says directly in the Bill that even if a clause violates someone's rights (i.e. Human Rights or Labour Law), it cannot be reviewed by a court of law.

      That doesn't concern you? It should! You indicated that your children's futures rely on it, however, don't you think that having a government that believes in democratic rights, and the rights of workers, to be the most important thing at this moment for their futures? Not a government that decides it can marginalize one group simply because it has overspent. Again unions agree to a wage freeze, just not the stripping of our rights.
      (YES I am a teacher)

      Perhaps becoming informed about the issues would be the best place to start.
    2. Steph posted on 12/05/2012 09:43 PM
      @Fed up We are actually teaching our students that you need to stand up for what you believe in. The Governement has enforced this and did not neogtiate in good faith. This is not a democratic move. We are telling the kids to stand up to bullies. That is the message we are giving. We are doing this in a peaceful non-violent way. Bill 115 -Putting Students first, doesn't even mention students instead it states what will be taken away from teachers. Who is sending the right message??
    show more replies
  4. Jed Row posted on 12/05/2012 09:10 PM
    Disappointing to see the ETFO begin its public action against a school board where the MPP voted against BIll 115. And not to target boards where Liberal MPPs are located at all.
    Still some concern against biting the hand that fed them for 8 years?
  5. Realitycheck2013 posted on 12/05/2012 09:16 PM
    Methinks from the results the rank and file is not behind Sam. Only just over half bothered to vote for a one day walk off.
    Sam your day is done. The reasonable teachers get the fiscal reality they are a big part of. Sorry to dangle a participle.
  6. K posted on 12/05/2012 09:22 PM
    Why is nobody addressing the real issue here. The group who created this whole pathetic mess. The Roman Catholic School System. You want to see wasted money? Look at the brand new multi-million dollar school they are building in London Ontario-a place where most high schools are declining in enrolment! Just because it's in the constitution doesn't mean it's right. When will the people of Ontario stand up and say enough is enough. How can anyone think it's okay that public employess are only hired if they are catholic? Disgusting.
    1. Only Common Sense posted on 12/06/2012 05:46 AM
      @K I knew this was coming ... inevitable that someone would express religious hatred to a public issue out of complete ignorance.
      1. The "public" high schools are undergoing a decline ... not the separate schools in the area ... or else the Board wouldn't be allowed to build a new one
      2. One need not be Catholic in order to teach in a Catholic High School ... just as the students who attend need not be Catholic either.
  7. Only Common Sense posted on 12/06/2012 05:46 AM
    I knew this was coming ... inevitable that someone would express religious hatred to a public issue out of complete ignorance.
    1. The "public" high schools are undergoing a decline ... not the separate schools in the area ... or else the Board wouldn't be allowed to build a new one
    2. One need not be Catholic in order to teach in a Catholic High School ... just as the students who attend need not be Catholic either.
  8. Alex posted on 12/06/2012 10:26 PM
    While i agree with fighting what you believe in, it bothers me that the ones who spend most of their time with our children are teaching them that if you dont get your own way, whine and complain and dont do what your supposed to do until you get what you want.

    for years with the jobs i have had i didnt get a cost of living increase, I made it by supporting my wife and 3 kids, I dont get to bank my sick days, Im lucky enough to get 2 a year, most people out there dont get any.

    I dont want to come across as an a-hole, but when you look at what most people have to live off of espically with children, its not much, its less than what the teachers make.

    I dont agree with the government, but I also dont agree with what the ETFO is doing,
  9. WDR posted on 12/07/2012 10:25 AM
    Is it just me or is Laurel Broten sounding like she doesn't even believe the talking points he continually spouts? The Catholic agreement she talks about has only been ratified by one school board, the rest are just waiting. The Catholic agreement also has a "Me Too" clause that would allow changes if the Public teachers get something better than they have.
    Like John Tory says, The Liberals have to sit down and negotiate rather than spout the spurious talking points coming from all sides in this mess.
  10. RealityCheck2013 posted on 12/07/2012 08:02 PM
    So why do we even have a Bill 115? Answer: Collective bargaining was simply not producing agreements. Did the August 31st deadline sneak up on anyone? Of course not. Its a typical ploy to let the clock run out. 40% or Teachers would have received raises on August 31st.; something the public just can't afford right now. So this legislation was brought to bear to ensure wages were frozen. It also includes 3 unpaid days off per year, and no more bankable sick days. So tell us teachers honestly, which one of those things kept you from ratifying the deal before the impostion of Bill 115? It wouldn't even exist if you'd just been reasonable and accepted the that the current offer is in line with the economic reality of our time and what the public can afford. As it stands the Bill has a lifespan of 2 years with a option to extend for a 3rd maximum. The hyperbole about democratic rights being trampled are just not accurate. You had your chance to settle, and your negotiators squandered it. These are extraordinary times, and extraordinary measures are required.
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